Pele’s Tears: The Myth of Peridot and the Goddess of Fire

In the heart of the Pacific Ocean, where fire and sea collide, the Hawaiian Islands were born from the molten fury of Pele, the goddess of volcanoes and creation. She is a powerful, unpredictable force, both a destroyer and a creator, reshaping the land with every eruption. Among the many wonders she has bestowed upon her islands, none shimmer quite like peridot, the vibrant green gemstone said to be her tears.

The Legend of Pele and Peridot

According to Hawaiian mythology, Pele’s spirit resides within the volcanoes of Hawaii, particularly Kīlauea, one of the most active volcanoes in the world. She is known for her fiery temper, passionate love affairs, and fierce battles with her siblings, especially her rival and sister, Nāmaka, the goddess of the sea.

One legend tells of Pele’s sorrow when she was driven from her homeland by Nāmaka, leading her to travel across the Pacific in search of a new home. She finally found refuge in Hawaii, where she dug deep into the earth, creating the volcanic landscapes we see today. But her anger and heartbreak remained, spilling forth in eruptions, sending molten lava flowing down the mountains. As her fiery essence cooled, tiny green crystals of peridot were said to form, solidified tears of the goddess, forever marking the land with her presence.

Another tale speaks of Pele’s relentless pursuit of love. She was said to fall in love with mortal men, only for jealousy and rage to consume her when they betrayed or rejected her affections. Her heartbreak would erupt in flames, and with each sorrowful outburst, peridot would appear, her pain crystallized into the vibrant green gemstones found within the lava fields and along the shores of Hawaii.

Pele’s Curse: A Warning to Visitors

Hawaiian folklore warns against taking volcanic rocks or peridot from the islands. This belief is rooted in the idea that Pele fiercely protects her land, and those who remove pieces of it will suffer bad luck, misfortune, or even tragedy. Over the years, thousands of tourists who took lava rocks, sand, or gemstones from Hawaii have reportedly experienced streaks of bad luck, so much so that some have even mailed back stolen stones in hopes of appeasing the goddess and lifting the curse.

While this tale is often considered a modern invention, the deep respect for Pele and her volcanic creations remains an important part of Hawaiian culture. 

The Science Behind Pele’s Tears

While the myth beautifully explains peridot’s presence in Hawaii, science offers its own explanation.

Peridot is a variety of olivine, a mineral that forms in molten rock. In some eruptions, lava carries these green crystals to the surface, where they cool and become embedded in basalt or even wash up on the shores of Papakōlea Beach, one of the world’s only green sand beaches.

This geological formation ties into another legend, the belief that Pele’s tears are carried by the ocean, much like the wandering goddess herself. In Hawaiian culture, the ocean is not only Nāmaka’s domain but also a force of cleansing and renewal, making peridot’s journey from the fiery earth to the sea an eternal cycle of destruction and rebirth.

Peridot’s Role in Hawaiian Culture

In Hawaiian traditions, peridot is sometimes linked to mana, the spiritual energy believed to flow through people, places, and objects. The stone is thought to bring prosperity, peace, and good fortune (but only to those who treat it with respected).

A Gemstone with a Fiery Past

Whether you believe in the myth of Peles tears or prefer the science, there’s no denying that peridot is a gemstone with a dramatic and fascinating origin. From the volcanic depths of Hawaii to the hands of those who cherish it, peridot carries the story of fire, transformation, and the enduring power of nature.